SMART PHONE KALEIDOSCOPE

PRACTICAL TASK
SMART PHONE KALEIDOSCOPE
67
INTRODUCTION
The kaleidoscope is an optical gadget that produces stunning reflective
patterns in a tube containing mirrors. It was invented by the Scottish
scientist David Brewster nearly 200 years ago and has been popular ever
since. Kaleidoscopes are big business and there are still entirely new types to
be designed.
The kaleidoscope has two main parts:
1. A tube with three mirrors arranged in a triangle
2. Something to look at the end of the tube
When you look through the tube, the mirrors reflect what you see to
give amazing repeat patterns. Most kaleidoscopes have a small box in
front containing glass beads and glitter. These images change when the
kaleidoscope is turned around.
If you view a kaleidoscope through the camera of a smart phone you can
see the patterns full screen, share them with others – and send video or still
photos to friends. You can also make screen saver wallpaper etc.
MAKING A BASIC KALEIDOSCOPE:
1. Make a paper tube by rolling paper around a plastic mandrel. Place a line
of glue on the paper about 90mm from the edge and roll one revolution.
Press on the glue line. Now glue along the other edge of the paper and
complete the rolling.
2. Slide the paper tube off the mandrel.
3. Push the three mirrors into the tube and look through it.
Rolling paper around a mandrel
to make a paper tube
Three mirrors pushed into a paper
tube - mirror sides facing each other
If you view a colourful picture or just look through it, you will see the special
kaleidoscope image. Hold it carefully in front of your phone camera to see
the image on-screen.
Pattern produced by a kaleidoscope
DEVELOPING THE KALEIDOSCOPE
You can make the tube of the kaleidoscope stronger and more interesting
by gluing on a layer of coloured or printed paper. To work out how much
paper you need for one layer, multiply the diameter of the tube by pi
(3.142) and add 10mm for an overlap. Cut the paper about 8mm longer
than the tube so you can tuck it in a both ends for a neat finish.
Design something to look at. You can really do amazing things here.
For example:
1. Move a coloured picture in front of the tube
2. Make an object case and fill it with small beads etc. To do this:
a. Push in a disc of clear acrylic so that it touches against the mirrors.
b. Push in the beads etc.
c. Fit the second acrylic disk in the tube to hold the beads.
3. Suspend coloured threads in front of the tube and blow on them.
WHAT NEXT?
If you want your kaleidoscope
to become a real phone app.,
can you think of a way of
clipping it to a smart phone?
Kaleidoscope held in
front of a smart phone
© Copyright 2013
68